I have an 88 with 9" axles and the other day the rear end started making like a very loud popping noise then the drive shaft popped out.. luckly it was making the noise in a gravel parking lot and I was going very slow as to avoid damage to the drive shaft. So I go get a new u joint and install it get it all put back together and tried it out agian and still the same thing. Im thinking my gears in the rear might be shot but any ideas would be greatly appriciated! Thanks guys

 

Welcome to the site!

What exactly is popping out? The only things I can envision at this point are a pinion yoke problem or the tranny splines worn.

Also, is the truck stock height?

 

No the truck is lifted around 8", the drive shaft popped off the rear diff once so I figured it was just the U joint but that wasnt the problem. I havent really looked at it anymore since yesterday when I put the rear driveshaft back in.

 

IIRC, there should be a pinion nut holding the u-joint yoke to the pinion shaft.

If the nut is gone, or not holding - could be something as simple as reseating and carefully tightening to the proper torque, plus a smidge. There is a crush collar to deal with, again IIRC, which may present an issue, as well as the splines could be damaged.

Or it may be that the pinion assembly has been yanked out of position - suspect not a pretty picture inside the diffy.

 

Well Its more of a clunking noise I guess.. And every time it "clunks" the truck shakes horrbly. It feels like its coming from the rear axle but not sure. Ive never really messed with axles much in my experence.

 

Hmmm, another thought is that the u-joint is not seating properly / snugly in the yoke. This could be due to grime or crud in the saddle - particularly near the tangs, or that the yoke has worn or deformed.

May have to get underneath with wheels blocked and tranny in neutral, start wiggling things around to see where any free play may be.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Ill check that out then thanks. Ill let you know this evening what I find.

 

Well its been too dang cold here in CO to do much of anything. So no update on my problem just yet

 

well i froze my nuts off when out and dropped the rear drive shaft back out and jacked the rear end up a little and spun the wheels.. spun the left wheel forward and the right wheel spun backward naturally then the right wheel just stops and then after a few more revolutions of the left the right catches and starts spinning agian. So I spin the yoke and and both wheels spin fine but the diff is dry (should of known). So I pull the plug add some diff fluid and spun the wheels and grabbed on to the yoke and it stopped in my hand and jumped a few teeth. It didnt feel like they were broke but really wore (of course there was no fluid in it for who knows how long) so I guess Im tearing it apart saturday and putting a new ring and pinion in. This is mine and my buddies first diff rebuild so pray for me!